“Equality and against racism.” Ever considered what a street name can represent? Here on Avenue de la Marche pour l’égalité et contre le racisme, we are walking a path of remembrance. This avenue in Marseille wasn’t always known by this powerful name. Previously, it was named Avenue Alexandre Ansaldi. In 2024, the city decided to rename it.
This change was not arbitrary. It was a deliberate act to honor the marchers of 1983. These marchers embarked on a historic journey from Marseille to Paris. Their mission was to fight for equality and against racism.
The march began on October 15, 1983. A small group of activists set out. They protested against rising racist crimes. These crimes targeted young French people of immigrant backgrounds. The Front National’s growing influence fueled this racism.
The march originated after police violence in Lyon’s Minguettes district. Toumi Djaïdja was injured by police gunfire. He was the president of SOS Avenir Minguettes. Young people from Minguettes and anti-racist activists organized the march.
Seventeen people started the march. They walked from Cayolle through several neighborhoods to Flamands. By the time they reached Paris on December 3, 1983, almost 100,000 people joined them. A massive demonstration for equality and against racism took place in the capital.
Forty-one years later, Marseille chose to honor these marchers. They renamed Avenue Alexandre Ansaldi to Avenue de la Marche pour l’égalité et contre le racisme. The inauguration included numerous officials and locals.
Marseille’s Mayor Benoît Payan declared the importance of this dedication. He noted the rise of racism and discrimination. He stressed the need to remember this march. It is important to inscribe it in the city’s history. Payan has urged other French cities that the march passed through to follow suit. He wants them to create similar tributes.
The Avenue de la Marche pour l’égalité et contre le racisme stands as a reminder. It commemorates the brave individuals who marched for a better, more equal France. It serves as a call to continue the fight against racism. The struggle continues today.